OAKLAND -– Two games into the NBA Finals, the Warriors are halfway to repeating as champions.
A 110-77 rout of the Cavaliers in Game 2 on Sunday at before a supremely satisfied sellout crowd at Oracle Arena gives the Warriors a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, which shifts to Cleveland for the next two games.
Forward Draymond Green scored 28 points to lead all scorers, while guard Stephen Curry finished with 18 and guard Klay Thompson finished with 17. Guard Leandro Barbosa came off the bench to put in 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
The Warriors shot 54.3 from the field, including 45.2 percent from 3-point distance, while limiting Cleveland to 35.4 percent.
The Warriors outrebounded the Cavaliers 46-34, more than offsetting 21 turnovers that led to 20 Cleveland points. The Warriors scored 26 points off 18 Cavs giveaways.
Forward LeBron James scored 19 points to lead Cleveland. Guard Kyrie Irving totaled 10 and forward Richard Jefferson came off the bench to add 12.
STANOUT PERFORMER
Sports
This was Green’s game early and late, with stellar defensive help from center Andrew Bogut.
Green’s line: 28 points (11-of-20 from the field, 5-of-8 from deep), seven rebounds five assists. He played 34 minutes and was plus-20 for the game.
Bogut was terrific, setting an immediate tone by blocking four shots and grabbing three rebounds in the first quarter. He finished with six blocks, tying his career-high for a playoff game. He played 15 minutes and was plus-10
TURNING POINT
After James hit two free throws to pull Cleveland within one, 31-30, with 8:08 left in the second quarter, the Warriors responded with an 11-0 run in less than three minutes to go up 42-30 on a three-point play by Green with 5:09 left in the half.
Green scored 9 of the 11 points during the rally, including back-to-back bombs from beyond the arc.
The Warriors never were seriously threatened the rest of the way.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: F Kevon Looney (L hip surgery) was listed as out and placed on the inactive list with James Michael McAdoo (healthy).
Cavaliers: F Kevin Love sustained a head injury in the second quarter and returned briefly in the third quarter before leaving for good. He will be placed in NBA Concussion Protocol. No injuries were listed prior to the game. C Sasha Kaun and G Jordan McRae were placed on the inactive list.
WHAT’S NEXT
Game 3 is set for Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
